# Bridge

/ˈbɹɪdʒ/ (US) · /bɹˈɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bridge
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. structure over water/road

noun · CEFR A2

a structure built over a river, road, or railway so that people or vehicles can cross from one side to the other.

For teachers: a physical structure spanning and providing passage over a gap or barrier, such as a body of water, valley, or road.

- We walked across the old stone bridge to get to the other side of the river.
- The suspension bridge spans the wide estuary, providing a vital transport link for the coastal communities that were previously isolated.

### 2. a connection

noun · CEFR B1

something that joins or connects two different things, such as ideas, groups, or places.

For teachers: a conceptual or physical link that connects two disparate elements, groups, or time periods.

- The new community centre acts as a bridge between the young and old people in the town.
- The diplomat hoped the cultural exchange programme would serve as a bridge between the two nations after years of political tension.

### 3. card game

noun · CEFR B1

a popular card game for four players who play in two pairs.

For teachers: a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck, typically played by two competing partnerships.

- My grandparents spend every Tuesday afternoon playing bridge with their neighbours.
- Mastering the bidding system in contract bridge requires years of practice and a deep understanding of probability.

### 4. part of a song

noun · CEFR B2

a part of a song that sounds different from the rest and connects two main sections.

For teachers: a musical passage that connects two sections of a composition, often providing contrast to the verse and chorus.

- The song has a beautiful bridge where the drums stop and the singer's voice gets very quiet.
- The songwriter used a minor-key bridge to heighten the emotional tension before returning to the final, triumphant chorus.

### 5. part of the nose

noun · CEFR B2

the hard, bony upper part of your nose.

For teachers: the upper, bony part of the human nose, or the part of a pair of glasses that rests upon it.

- He pushed his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose.
- The surgeon carefully reconstructed the bridge of the patient's nose following the accident to restore both function and appearance.

### 6. ship's control centre

noun · CEFR B2

the place on a ship where the captain and officers control the vessel.

For teachers: the platform or enclosed area on a ship from which it is commanded and navigated.

- The captain stood on the bridge and watched the storm clouds approaching.
- From the bridge, the officer on watch monitored the radar screens for any signs of other vessels in the dense fog.

### 7. to connect or span

verb · CEFR B2

to reduce or close the distance between two different things.

For teachers: to span a physical gap or to reconcile a difference between two opposing entities or concepts.

- The government is trying to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
- The new scholarship programme aims to bridge the educational divide by providing resources to underprivileged students in rural areas.

## Examples

- We cross the bridge to get to the city.
- The old stone bridge is too narrow for modern trucks to pass over.
- Engineers designed the suspension bridge with flexible cables to withstand high winds and seismic activity without collapsing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.